Unidirectional error code transfer for both read and write data transmitted via bidirectional data link

ABSTRACT

A controller includes a link interface that is to couple to a first link to communicate bi-directional data and a second link to transmit unidirectional error-detection information. An encoder is to dynamically add first error-detection information to at least a portion of write data. A transmitter, coupled to the link interface, is to transmit the write data. A delay element is coupled to an output from the encoder. A receiver, coupled to the link interface, is to receive second error-detection information corresponding to at least the portion of the write data. Error-detection logic is coupled to an output from the delay element and an output from the receiver. The error-detection logic is to determine errors in at least the portion of the write data by comparing the first error-detection information and the second error-detection information, and, if an error is detected, is to assert an error condition.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.13/398,768, filed Feb. 16, 2012, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/013,779, filed Jan. 25, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No.8,132,077, which is continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/479,684, filed Jun. 5, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,882,423, which is adivisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/330,524, filed Jan.11, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,562,285, entitled “Unidirectional ErrorCode Transfer for a Bidirectional Data Link,” which are incorporatedherein by reference in their entireties.

This application is also related to U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/479,688, filed Jun. 5, 2009, entitled “Unidirectional Error CodeTransfer Method for Bidirectional Data Link,” now U.S. Pat. No.7,831,888, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

The subject matter disclosed herein relates generally to integratedcircuits, methods and systems having error detection, error correctionand/or retry modes of operation using a bidirectional data link.

BACKGROUND

Low bit-error-rate (BER) communication of data over a communicationschannel is often considered an important requirement in many systems. Inthe case of memory devices and systems, fulfilling this requirement isincreasingly difficult due to signaling and circuit limitations. Infuture memory devices and systems, scaling of interface circuitry toaccommodate higher data rates may be restricted by transistorsensitivity and threshold limits. In addition, even though interconnectlengths and a loss tangent may be constant, the higher data rates mayincrease noise due to an increased bandwidth. Given constraints oninterface overhead and latency, developing faster interfaces with a lowBER may become more challenging and expensive. This poses a problem,since conventional interfaces in memory devices and systems typicallyhave an extremely low BER. For example, the BER in the interface in adynamic random access memory (DRAM) is typically less than a soft errorrate in the DRAM core, i.e., less than 10⁻³⁰. If the BER in theinterface increases in future high-speed designs, ensuring reliabilitywith different processes, systems and environments for conventionalmemory devices and systems may be difficult.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding, reference should be made to the followingdetailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a system.

FIG. 2A is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a controller.

FIG. 2B is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a device.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a data stream and an error code streamin an embodiment of a system.

FIG. 4A is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a controller.

FIG. 4B is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a device.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a data stream and a command stream inan embodiment of a system.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of generating errorcode bits.

FIG. 7A is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a controller.

FIG. 7B is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a device.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of operation of anembodiment of a system.

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of operation of anembodiment of a system.

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of operation of anembodiment of a system.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a system.

Like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts throughout thedrawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

A controller is described. In some embodiments, the controller may be amemory controller. The controller includes a first link interface thatis to couple to a first link to communicate bi-directional data and asecond link to transmit unidirectional error-detection information. Afirst encoder is to dynamically add first error-detection information toat least a portion of write data. A first transmitter, coupled to thefirst link interface, is to transmit the write data. A first delayelement is coupled to an output from the first encoder. A firstreceiver, coupled to the first link interface, is to receive read data.A second encoder, coupled to an output from the first receiver, is todynamically add second error-detection information to at least a portionof the read data. A second receiver, coupled to the first linkinterface, is to receive third error-detection information correspondingto at least the portion of the read data and fourth error-detectioninformation corresponding to at least the portion of the write data.First error-detection logic is coupled to an output from the first delayelement, an output from the second encoder and an output from the secondreceiver. The first error-detection logic is to determine errors in atleast the portion of the write data by comparing the firsterror-detection information and the fourth error-detection information,and is to determine errors in at least the portion of the read data bycomparing the second error-detection information and the thirderror-detection information. If an error is detected, the firsterror-detection logic is to assert an error condition.

The controller may include retry logic and/or instructions to perform aretry remedial action if the error condition is asserted. The retryremedial action may include re-transmitting the write data using thefirst transmitter and the first link interface. The retry remedialaction may include re-receiving the read data using the first receiverand the first link interface after the read data is re-transmitted by adevice.

The controller may include a third encoder to dynamically add fiftherror-detection information to at least a portion of write maskinformation, and a second transmitter coupled to an output from thethird encoder and to the first link interface. The first link interfaceis to couple to a third link to transmit unidirectional commandinformation including the fifth error-detection information, and thefirst link interface is to couple to the first link to communicate thewrite mask information.

In another embodiment, a device is described. In some embodiments, thedevice may be a memory device, including a memory core that utilizessolid-state memory, semiconductor memory, organic memory and/or anothermemory material. The device includes a second link interface that is tocouple to the first link to communicate bi-directional data and thesecond link to transmit unidirectional error-detection information. Afourth encoder is to dynamically add the third error-detectioninformation to at least the portion of the read data. A secondtransmitter, coupled to the second link interface, is to transmit theread data. A third receiver, coupled to the second link interface, is toreceive the write data. A fifth encoder, coupled to an output from thethird receiver, is to dynamically add the fourth error-detectioninformation to at least the portion of the write data. A thirdtransmitter is coupled to the second link interface, and is selectivelycoupled to one of an output from the fourth encoder and an output fromthe fifth encoder.

The read data may be re-transmitted using the second transmitter and thesecond link interface if the device receives remedial actioninstructions from the controller. The write data may be re-receivedusing the third receiver and the second link interface if the devicereceives remedial action instructions from the controller.

The device may include a sixth encoder, coupled to an output from thethird receiver, to dynamically add sixth error-detection information toat least the portion of the write mask information. The second linkinterface is to couple to the third link to receive the unidirectionalcommand information. A fourth receiver, coupled to the second linkinterface, is to receive the fifth error-detection information. Seconderror-detection logic, coupled to an output from the fourth receiver andan output from the sixth encoder, is to determine errors in at least theportion of the write mask information by comparing the fiftherror-detection information and the sixth error-detection information.If an error is detected, the second error-detection logic is to disablea write operation to the memory core.

In another embodiment, a system is described. In some embodiments, thesystem may be a memory system. The system includes the controller and atleast the device. The first link interface in the controller is coupledto the first link and the second link. The second link interface in thedevice is coupled to the first link and the second link. In someembodiments, the first link interface in the controller and the secondlink interface in the device may each be coupled to the third link.

In another embodiment, a process for operating a controller isdescribed. The first error-detection information is dynamically added toat least the portion of the write data. The write data is transmitted.The fourth error-detection information corresponding to at least theportion of the write data is received. The fourth error-detectioninformation is compared to a delayed version of the firsterror-detection information to determine errors in at least the portionof the write data. If an error is detected, an error condition isasserted.

In another embodiment, a process for operating a controller isdescribed. The read data is received. The second error-detectioninformation is dynamically added to at least the portion of the readdata. The third error-detection information corresponding to at leastthe portion of the read data is received. The second error-detectioninformation is compared to the third error-detection information todetermine errors in at least the portion of the read data. If an erroris detected, an error condition is asserted.

In another embodiment, a process for operating a device is described.The write mask information is received. The sixth error-detectioninformation is dynamically added to at least the portion of the writemask information. The fifth error-detection information corresponding toat least the portion of the write mask information is received. Thefifth error-detection information and the sixth error-detectioninformation are compared to determine errors in at least the portion ofthe write mask information. If an error is detected, a write operationto the memory core is disabled.

In some embodiments, dynamically adding error-detection information mayinclude generating and/or incorporating pre-existing error-detectioncode information and/or error correction code information (such as aBose-Chaudhuri-Hochquenghem code) into at least a portion of thetransmit data (such as in one or more write data packets and/or one ormore read data packets) and/or at least a portion of the write maskinformation. In some embodiments, the generated error-detection codeinformation is only used locally, i.e., it is not transmitted with thewrite data and/or the write mask information. In some embodiments, thedynamic adding of respective error-detection code information mayinclude generating and/or incorporating pre-existing error-detectioncode information or error correction code information into at least aportion of command information, such as commands or address information.In some embodiments, the error-detection code information (such as oneor more parity bits or parity codes) and/or error correction codeinformation may be generated in real time in accordance with at least aportion of the transmit data, the write mask information and/or thecommand information. Such dynamically generated error-detection codeinformation and/or error correction code information may then be usedlocally and/or incorporated into the transmit data, the write maskinformation and/or the command information.

In some embodiments, the controller and/or the device may includeinstructions for and/or may perform one or more additional actionsduring a respective retry remedial action. The one or more additionalactions may be mediated by retry information transmitted from thecontroller to the device and/or from the device to the controller. Theinstructions for and/or the performance of the one or more additionalactions may include re-transmitting write data, read data, commandinformation and/or write mask information with at least a portion of there-transmitted write data, read data, command information and/or writemask information having error protection provided by an error correctioncode that is dynamically generated. The instructions for and/or theperformance of the one or more additional actions may includere-transmitting write data, read data, command information and/or writemask information with improved bit error rate (BER). For example,re-transmission may use a circuit having a power greater than that usedin a previous transmission for improved transmit characteristics;re-transmission may clock the respective data or information with onesymbol per clock cycle (as opposed to transmitting on both rising andfalling clock edges or transmitting multiple symbols per clock cycle);re-transmission may use a data or information rate that is less thanthat used in the previous transmission by adjusting, for example, aclock generator; re-transmission may use a data or information streamhaving blanks inserted before and/or after the respective data orinformation in order to have an intersymbol interference that is lessthan that in the previous transmission; re-transmission may use adifferent modulation code than that used in the previous transmission byadjusting, for example, a modulator; re-transmission may use a voltageswing that is greater than that used in the previous transmission byadjusting, for example, a voltage generator; re-transmission may use anumber of pins that are coupled to one or more of the links (such as thefirst link, the second link and/or the third link) that is less than thenumber of pins coupled to one or more of the links in the previoustransmission; re-transmission may occur after a predetermined idle time(such as 1, 2 or several clock cycles, or 1, 2 or 3 symbol periods,where a symbol period is an amount of time associated with communicationof a symbol of write data or read data); and/or re-transmission may useanother transmitter and/or receiver in the controller and/or in thedevice.

While some embodiments include separate first and second links (i.e.,side band communication) to communicate the bi-directional data and theunidirectional error-detection information between the controller andthe device, in other embodiments the bi-directional data and theunidirectional error-detection information may be communicated using acommon link (i.e., in-band signaling). Such in-band signaling mayutilize a technique including time division multiplexing, frequencydivision multiplexing and/or spread-spectrum signaling.

In some embodiments, the first link, the second link and/or the thirdlink may include one or more pins, one or more lines or wires, one ormore pairs of wires, one or more reference or back planes, one or moreinterconnects, one or more interfaces and/or one or more communicationschannels. The links may be used for inter-chip communication, such asbetween one or more semiconductor chips or dies, or for communicationwithin a semiconductor chip, also known as intra-chip communication,such as between modules in an integrated circuit.

In some embodiments, the controller and/or the device may includecontrol logic. The control logic may delay subsequent write operationsto the device until the retry remedial action is completed, may delaycommand operations to a location in the device corresponding to thewrite or read data until the retry remedial action is completed, or mayreorder receive data after the retry remedial action is completed inorder to restore the read data received from the device during remedialaction to a position corresponding to an original sequence of commandoperations.

The controller may also include a buffer. The buffer may be used toavoid data hazards. The write data to be transmitted to the device maybe temporarily stored in the buffer and, if a read to a location in thedevice corresponding to the write data occurs during the retry remedialaction, the write data may be obtained from the buffer.

By incorporating the error detection, error correction and/or retrymodes of operation in the controller, the device or systems including atleast one controller and at least one device, the embodiments allowoccasional interconnect- or communications-channel-induced bit errorsand thereby may allow a reduction in the BER requirements of theinterconnect. Such an additional degree of freedom may enableinterconnects having increased bandwidth at lower cost and with lesscomplexity.

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, examples of whichare illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following detaileddescription, numerous specific details are set forth in order to providea thorough understanding of the subject matter presented herein.However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art thatthe subject matter may be practiced without these specific details. Inother instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, andcircuits have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarilyobscure aspects of the embodiments.

Attention is now directed towards embodiments that address thedifficulties associated with the existing memory systems describedabove. These embodiments may be utilized in one or more controllers, oneor more devices and/or one or more systems. In some embodiments, the oneor more controllers may be memory controllers, the one or more devicesmay be memory devices and/or the one or more systems may be memorysystems.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a system 200.The system 200 includes at least one controller 210 and one or moredevices 218. While FIG. 1 illustrates the system 200 having onecontroller 210 and three devices 218, other embodiments may haveadditional controllers and fewer or more devices 218. The controller 210has control logic 212 and each device 218 has control logic 220. Inother embodiments, some of the devices 218 may not have the controllogic 220. In embodiments where the devices 218 are memory devices, twoor more of the devices, such as devices 218-1 and 218-2, may beconfigured as a memory bank 216.

The controller 210 and the devices 218 are connected by one or morelinks 214. While the system 200 illustrates three links 214, otherembodiments may have fewer or more links 214. The links 214 may be usedfor bi-directional and/or uni-directional communications between thecontroller 210 and one or more of the devices 218. Bi-directionalcommunication may be simultaneous. In some embodiments, one or more ofthe links 214 and the corresponding transmitters, such as transmitters312 (FIG. 2A), and/or receivers, such as receivers 322 (FIG. 2A), may bedynamically configured, for example, by control logic 212, forbi-directional and/or unidirectional communication.

Data may be communicated on one or more of the links 214 using one ormore sub-channels, such as a baseband sub-channel corresponding to afirst frequency band and/or a passband sub-channel corresponding to asecond frequency band. In some embodiments, such as those where at leastone of the links 214 is ac-coupled, the baseband sub-channel may notcontain DC (i.e., does not include 0 Hz). In some embodiments, the firstfrequency band and the second frequency band may be orthogonal. In otherembodiments there may be substantial overlap of one or more neighboringpairs of frequency bands. A respective sub-channel may also correspondto a group of frequency bands.

The control logic 212 in the system 200 may be configured to dynamicallyallocate and/or adjust one or more frequency bands, such as the firstfrequency band and/or the second frequency band, based on apredetermined data rate, for example, multiple gigabits per second(“Gbits/s” or “Gbps”), between the controller 210 and at least one ofthe devices 218 and/or the predetermined data rate between at least oneof the devices 218 and the controller 210. The control logic 212 maydynamically allocate and/or adjust one or more frequency bands in atleast one link 214 by adjusting at least one corresponding transmitter,such as one of the transmitters 312 (FIG. 2A), and at least onecorresponding receiver, such as one of the receivers 322 (FIG. 2B). Inthis example, adjustments to at least one of the transmitters 312 (FIG.2A) and/or at least one of the receivers 322 (FIG. 2B) may becommunicated from the controller 210 to at least one of the devices 218using at least one of the links 214.

While the embodiment 200 couples the controller 210 to multiple devices218, in other embodiments two or more controllers may be coupled to oneanother. The coupled controllers may utilize the unidirectional transferof error code information described below.

The challenges associated with the existing systems may be at leastpartially addressed by encoding error detection codes or information onboth sides of a link, for example, in a controller and in one or moredevices. Two versions of the error-detection information, one generatedin the controller and another generated in one or more devices, may becompared in the controller. If errors are detected, an error conditionmay be asserted and corresponding remedial action, such asre-transmitted write and/or read data, may be taken. The error-detectioninformation may be communicated between the device and the controllerusing in-band signaling or sideband communication. As described furtherbelow with reference to FIG. 4, this approach may reduce an overalllatency.

FIG. 2A is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment 300 of acontroller 308 incorporating unidirectional error code informationtransfer. Write data 112 may be synchronized using a flip-flop 310-1(which is gated by a clock signal that is not shown) and transmittedusing transmitter 312-1 on bi-directional data link 326. The write data112 may also be encoded using encoder 314-1 to generate first write-dataerror-detection information. An embodiment of an encoder, such as theencoder 314-1 is described further below with reference to FIG. 6. Thefirst write-data error-detection information may be delayed by delayelement 316-1 and coupled to error-detection logic 318-1. The delayelement 316-1 may compensate for a round-trip delay discussed furtherbelow.

Referring to FIG. 2B, which illustrates an embodiment 350 of a device352, the write data 112 may be received by a receiver 322-3 andsynchronized using a flip-flop 310-5 (which is gated by a clock signalthat is not shown). The received write data 112 may be coupled to anencoder 314-3 to generate second write-data error-detection information.The second write-data error-detection information may be synchronizedusing a flip-flop 310-6 and selectively coupled to subsequent componentsusing multiplexer 354. An output from the multiplexer 354 may besynchronized using a flip-flop 310-7 and transmitted on unidirectionalerror code link 324 using transmitter 312-2.

Referring back to FIG. 2A, the second write-data error-detectioninformation may be received by the controller 308 using receiver 322-1.The second write-data error-detection information may be synchronizedusing a flip-flop 310-2 and coupled to the error-detection logic 318-1.The error-detection logic 318-1 may compare the first write-dataerror-detection information and the second write-data error-detectioninformation to determine if the write data 112 was received by thedevice 352 without error. For example, the error detection logic 318-1may detect an error using a multi-bit XOR operation in conjunction withone or more parity bits associated with the write data 112. If an erroris detected, the error-detection logic 318-1 may assert an errorcondition 320-1. Retry logic 328 may perform remedial action if theerror condition 320-1 is asserted. The remedial action may includere-transmitting the write data 112 to the device 352.

Referring back to FIG. 2B, a similar procedure may be utilized for readdata 122. The read data 122 may be synchronized using a flip-flop 310-9and transmitted using transmitter 312-3 on the bi-directional data link326. The read data 122 may also be encoded using encoder 314-4 togenerate first read-data error-detection information. The firstread-data error-detection information may be synchronized using aflip-flop 310-8 and selectively coupled to subsequent components usingthe multiplexer 354. An output from the multiplexer 354 may besynchronized using the flip-flop 310-7 and transmitted on theunidirectional error code link 324 using the transmitter 312-2.

Referring to FIG. 2A, the read data 122 may be received by a receiver322-2 and synchronized using the flip-flop 310-3. The received read data122 may be coupled to an encoder 314-2 to generate second read-dataerror-detection information. The second read-data error-detectioninformation may be synchronized by a flip-flop 310-4 and coupled toerror-detection logic 318-2. The controller 308 may also receive thefirst read-data error-detection information using the receiver 322-1.The first read-data error-detection information may be synchronizedusing the flip-flop 310-2 and coupled to the error-detection logic318-2. The error-detection logic 318-2 may compare the first read-dataerror-detection information and the second read-data error-detectioninformation to determine if the read data 122 was received by thecontroller 308 without error. If an error is detected, theerror-detection logic 318-2 may assert an error condition 320-2. Theretry logic 328 may perform remedial action if the error condition 320-2is asserted. The remedial action may include transmitting retryinformation to the device 352 (using a command link that is not shown)such that the read data 122 may be re-transmitted to the controller 308.

In some embodiments, at least one of the transmitters 312 may performparallel-to-serial conversion. In some embodiments, at least one of thereceivers 322 may perform serial-to-parallel conversion. While the retrylogic 328 is incorporated in the controller 308 in the embodiment 300,in other embodiments the retry logic 328 may be a separate component.The retry logic 328 may include hardware, such as logic gates to detectand/or interpret the respective error condition, and/or software,including instructions corresponding to the retry remedial action.Providing retry logic that can initiate retry remedial actions enables asystem to use transmit and receive data rates greater than a firstthreshold while maintaining an error rate lower than a second threshold.In some embodiments the first threshold may be on the order ofapproximately 1 Gbps, 2 Gbps, 5 Gbps or 10 Gbps. In an exemplaryembodiment, the second threshold is 10⁻²⁰ with error condition detectionand retry. If error detection and retry are not used, the secondthreshold may be 10⁻¹⁰.

In an exemplary embodiment, the flip-flops 310 have a one clock cycledelay. The delay element 316-1 has a delay of five clock cycles. Abandwidth used in the error code link 324 may be much less than abandwidth used in the data link 326.

While not shown, the controller 308 may include one or more modulators,one or more de-modulators, one or more voltage generators and at leastone clock generator. The one or more voltage generators may generate oneor more voltage signals that set signal levels of one or more of thetransmitters 312 and/or the receivers 322. The clock generator maygenerate one or more clock signals that control timing of transmittingand receiving of data by one or more of the transmitters 312 and/or thereceivers 322 using one or more of the flip-flops 310. The one or moremodulators and/or the one or more de-modulators may implementbit-to-symbol coding and symbol-to-bit coding, respectively. Suitablesymbol coding may include two or more level pulse amplitude modulation(PAM), such as two-level pulse amplitude modulation (2PAM), four-levelpulse amplitude modulation (4PAM), eight-level pulse amplitudemodulation (8PAM), sixteen-level pulse amplitude modulation (16PAM) or ahigher level pulse amplitude modulation. In embodiments with one or morepassband sub-channels, multi-level PAM is also referred to asmulti-level on-off keying (OOK), such as two-level on-off keying (2OOK),four-level on-off keying (4OOK), eight-level on-off keying (8OOK) or ahigher level on-off keying. Suitable coding in one or more passbandsub-channels may also include two or more level quadrature amplitudemodulation (QAM).

The controller 308 (FIG. 2A) and the device 352 (FIG. 2B) may have feweror more components. Functions of two or more components (as describedabove) may be implemented in a single component. Alternatively,functions of some components may be implemented in additional instancesof the components. While the embodiments 300 (FIG. 2A) and 350 (FIG. 2B)illustrate one transmitter 312 and two receivers 322, and twotransmitters 312 and one receiver 322, respectively, there may be feweror more of these components. While the data link 326 has beenillustrated as bi-directional, as noted previously this may includesimultaneous bi-directional communication, reconfiguration forunidirectional communication, as well as dynamic configuration of thedata link 326.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a data stream on the data link 326 andan error code stream on the error code link 324 in an embodiment of asystem 400 corresponding to the embodiments 300 (FIG. 2A) and 350 (FIG.2B). The system 400 illustrates a read-write (RW) bubble 412 and awrite-read (WR) bubble 418. While the system 400 illustrates single rateclocking, in other embodiments dual data rate clocking (i.e., clockingon rising and falling edges of clock 410) or other data rates withmultiple symbols per clock cycle may be used. While there is a largerwrite data to error code delay 414 in the approach utilized inembodiments 300 (FIG. 2A) and 350 (FIG. 2B), the overall latency isreduced. By delaying the read error code information relative to theread data, as illustrated by read data to error code delay 416, a singleencode delay may be utilized, thereby allowing read data to be returnedmore quickly.

As mentioned previously, while embodiments 300 (FIG. 2A) and 350 (FIG.2B) illustrate an approach using sideband communication, via the errorcode link 324, in other embodiments in-band signaling may be utilized.This is illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B.

FIG. 4A is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment 500 of acontroller 510 incorporating unidirectional error code informationtransfer. The write data 112 may be synchronized using a flip-flop 512-1(which is gated by a clock signal that is not shown) and transmittedusing transmitter 514-1 on bi-directional data and unidirectionalerror-code link 528. The write data 112 may also be encoded usingencoder 516-1 and flip-flop 512-2 to generate first write-readerror-detection information. The feedback loop may allow encoding of agroup of write data 112 symbols or data packets. The first write-readerror-detection information may be delayed by delay element 518-1 (tocompensate for a delay in receiving a burst of read data 122 discussedfurther below) and coupled to a multiplexer 520-1. The multiplexer mayselectively couple the first write-read error-detection information or afeedback loop to an encoder 516-2 (the feedback loop may allow encodingof a group of write data 112 symbols or data packets along with a groupof read data 122 symbols or data packets). The encoder 516-2 may alsohave read data 122 as an input. The encoder 516-2 may generate secondwrite-read error-detection information. An output from the encoder 516-2may be synchronized using flip-flop 512-3 and may be coupled toerror-detection logic 522.

Referring to FIG. 4B, which illustrates an embodiment 550 of a device552, the write data 112 may be received by a receiver 526-2 andsynchronized using a flip-flop 512-6 (which is gated by a clock signalthat is not shown). The received write data 112 may be encoded usingencoder 516-3 and flip-flop 512-7 to generate third write-readerror-detection information. The feedback loop may allow encoding of agroup of received write data 112 symbols or data packets. The thirdwrite-read error-detection information may be delayed by delay element518-2 (to compensate for a delay in receiving a burst of read data 122)and coupled to a multiplexer 520-2. The multiplexer may selectivelycouple the third write-read error-detection information or a feedbackloop to an encoder 516-4 (the feedback loop may allow encoding of agroup of received write data 112 symbols or data packets along with agroup of read data 122 symbols or data packets). The encoder 516-4 mayalso have read data 122 as an input. The encoder 516-4 may generatefourth write-read error-detection information. An output from theencoder 516-4 may be synchronized using flip-flop 512-8 and coupled tomultiplexer 520-3. The multiplexer 520-3 may selectively couple thefourth write-read error-detection information or the read data 122 to aflip-flop 512-9 (for synchronization) and to a transmitter 514-2. Thetransmitter 514-2 may transmit the read data 122 and/or the fourthwrite-read error-detection information on the data and error-code link528.

Referring back to FIG. 4A, the read data 122 and/or the fourthwrite-read error-detection information may be received by the controller510 using receiver 526-1. The fourth write-read error-detectioninformation and/or the read data 122 may be synchronized using aflip-flop 512-5. As mentioned previously, the read data 122 may becoupled to the encoder 516-2. The fourth write-read error-detectioninformation may be coupled to the error-detection logic 522. Theerror-detection logic 522 may compare the second write-readerror-detection information and the fourth write-read error-detectioninformation to determine if the write data 112 was received by thedevice 552 without error and if the read data 122 was received by thecontroller 510 without error. For example, the error detection logic 522may detect an error using a multi-bit XOR operation in conjunction withone or more parity bits associated with the write data 112 and the readdata 122. If an error is detected, the error-detection logic 522 mayassert an error condition 524. Retry logic 530 may perform remedialaction if the error condition 524 is asserted. The remedial action mayinclude re-transmitting the write data 112 to the device 552 andre-transmitting the read data to the controller 510. The remedial actionmay include transmitting retry information to the device 552 (using acommand link that is not shown) such that the read data 122 may bere-transmitted to the controller 510.

In some embodiments, at least one of the transmitters 514 may performparallel-to-serial conversion. In some embodiments, at least one of thereceivers 526 may perform serial-to-parallel conversion. While the retrylogic 530 is incorporated in the controller 510 in the embodiment 500,in other embodiments the retry logic 530 may be a separate component.The retry logic 530 may include hardware, such as logic gates to detectand/or interpret the respective error condition, and/or software,including instructions corresponding to the retry remedial action. Theretry remedial action may enables transmit and receive data ratesgreater than the first threshold with an error rate lower than thesecond threshold. In some embodiments the first threshold may be on theorder of approximately 1 Gbps, 2 Gbps, 5 Gbps or 10 Gbps. In anexemplary embodiment, the second threshold is 10⁻²⁰ with error conditiondetection and retry. If error detection and retry are not used, thesecond threshold may be 10⁻¹⁰.

In an exemplary embodiment, the flip-flops 512 have a one clock cycledelay. The delay elements 518 may delay the most recent encoded writedata 112 until the next burst of read data 122 is received. If a readburst is not received within a pre-determined time interval, thecontroller 510 may instruct the device 552 to provide the fourthwrite-read error detection information directly without waiting for theread burst using a command transmitted on the command link (not shown).Time division multiplexing may be utilized on the data and error-codelink 528 to interleave the write data 112, the read data 122 and thefourth write-read error-detection information. The encoders 516 maygenerate error-detection information for four data packets of write data112 and four data packets of read data 122 which are coded as a group.Each data packet may include thirty-two bits of data. The data anderror-code link 528 may include sixteen parallel signal lines. Theencoders 516 may, at least in part, implement a vertical/horizontalparity code in conjunction with a cyclic redundancy code (CRC). In otherembodiments, the encoders 516 may implement a CRC code, a parity code, aHamming code, a Reed-Solomon code, and/or another error checking andcorrection code.

While not shown, the controller 510 may include one or more modulators,one or more de-modulators, one or more voltage generators and at leastone clock generator. The one or more voltage generators may generatesone or more voltage signals that set signal levels of one or more of thetransmitters 514 and/or the receivers 526. The clock generator maygenerate one or more clock signals that control timing of transmittingand receiving of data by one or more of the transmitters 514 and/or thereceivers 526 using one or more of the flip-flops 512. The one or moremodulators and/or the one or more de-modulators may implementbit-to-symbol coding and symbol-to-bit coding, respectively. Suitablesymbol coding may include two or more level pulse amplitude modulation(PAM), such as two-level pulse amplitude modulation (2PAM), four-levelpulse amplitude modulation (4PAM), eight-level pulse amplitudemodulation (8PAM), sixteen-level pulse amplitude modulation (16PAM) or ahigher level pulse amplitude modulation. In embodiments with one or morepassband sub-channels, multi-level PAM is also referred to asmulti-level on-off keying (OOK), such as two-level on-off keying (2OOK),four-level on-off keying (4OOK), eight-level on-off keying (8OOK) or ahigher level on-off keying. Suitable coding in one or more passbandsub-channels may also include two or more level quadrature amplitudemodulation (QAM).

The controller 510 and the device 552 (FIG. 4B) may have fewer or morecomponents. Functions of two or more components (as described above) maybe implemented in a single component. Alternatively, functions of somecomponents may be implemented in additional instances of the components.While the embodiments 500 and 550 (FIG. 4B) illustrate one transmitter514 and one receiver 526 there may be fewer or more of these components.While the data and error-code link 528 has been illustrated asbi-directional for data and unidirectional for error-code information,as noted previously this may include simultaneous bi-directionalcommunication, reconfiguration for unidirectional communication, as wellas dynamic configuration of the data and error-code link 528.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a data stream 612 and a command stream610 in an embodiment of a system 600 corresponding to the embodiments500 (FIG. 4A) and 550 (FIG. 4B). While the system 600 illustrates singlerate clocking, in other embodiments dual data rate clocking (i.e.,clocking on rising and falling edges of the clock 410) or other datarates with multiple symbols per clock cycle may be used. In the system600, read and write data are separated by read-write (RW) bubble 412 andwrite-read bubble (WR) 614. In the encoders 516, N_(W) cycles 616 ofwrite data 112 and N_(R) cycles 618 of read data 122 are concatenatedand encoded. The resulting write-read error-detection information (SD)is transmitted during cycle 620. Cycle 620 may coincide with asynchronization command (S) sent by the controller 510 (FIG. 4A) at theend of a read command sequence. As described previously, in an exemplaryembodiment, the N_(W) cycles 616 and the N_(R) cycles 618 may numberfour.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment 700 of generatingerror code bits, such as the write or read error-detection informationin embodiments 300 (FIG. 2A) and 350 (FIG. 2B). Sixteen bit slices 708,each containing sixteen bits, are bit-wise summed to generate horizontalparity 710 and vertical parity 712, respectively. The input data mayinclude two-hundred fifty-six bits of write data 112 or two-hundredfifty-six bits of read data 122. The input bits in embodiment 700 areintended as an illustration. Other embodiments may use a differentnumber of bits and/or a different number of bit slices.

The horizontal parity is encoded using a CRC coder 714-1 and thevertical parity is encoded using a CRC coder 714-2. In an exemplaryembodiment, each of the CRC coders 714 may implement six-bit encodingusing six XOR gates each having sixteen inputs. The CRC coders 714 mayoutput write or read error-detection information or error check (ECHK)bits 716, which are also referred to as check codes. In an exemplaryembodiment, each CRC coder 714 may output six bits for a given set ofinput data, such as horizontal or vertical input bits. An additionalfour blank bits may also be included. Note that in general a CRC encoderwith a k-bit check code can cover up to 2^(k-1)-k−1 input data bits. Thecheck code (k bits) and the data bits (up to 2^(k-1)-k−1 bits) togetherare called a code word. Any one-bit, two-bit or three-bit errors and anyburst errors with length at most k in a code word can be detected by theCRC code. The CRC coder 714 may use the polynomialX⁶+X⁵+X³+X²+X+1as a generation polynomial. The horizontal and vertical parity bits maybe multiplied with a generation matrix corresponding to the generationpolynomial to generate the check codes.

A further approach addresses the issue of write masking when abidirectional data link, such as the data link 326 (FIG. 2A), couples amemory controller and a memory device. Write mask information permitsindividual bytes of write data 112 to be written or not-written into arespective column address location. Such write mask information may betransferred between a controller, such as the controller 308 (FIG. 2A),and a device, such as the device 352 (FIG. 2B), using sidebandcommunication or in-band signaling. In embodiments with a sideband link,there may be ⅛ fewer signal lines than in the data link. In in-bandsignaling, the write mask information may be communicated on the datalink. A write key technique may be used or bandwidth in the data linkmay be allocated explicitly for the write mask information. In theseembodiments, the data rate of the write mask information may be the sameas that used for the write data.

Whether write mask information is communicated using sidebandcommunication or in-band signaling, it may be susceptible to errorsduring communication on a link. The remedial action and retryinstructions described previously may not, however, adequately addresserrors in the write mask information. This is because an error in thewrite mask information may result in erroneous overwriting of a bytelocation that is not supposed to be overwritten. In the case of an errorin the received write data 112, the bad data in the device, such as thedevice 352 (FIG. 2B), is only a copy. The original write data 112 is inthe controller, such as the controller 308 (FIG. 2A), and may bere-transmitted. In the case of some errors in the write maskinformation, however, the only copy of data at a byte location that isnot to be written resides at that byte location in the device. There isno copy in the controller. As a consequence, an error in the write maskinformation could destroy the only copy of the data at that bytelocation.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate embodiments of a solution to this challenge.FIG. 7A is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment 800 of acontroller 810. The controller 810 may be a memory controller. A datastream containing write data 812 and write mask information is coupledto an encoder 314-5. The encoder receives the write mask information andgenerates first write-mask error-detection information. The firstwrite-mask error-detection information is synchronized using a flip-flop310-10 and is coupled to a transmitter 312-4. Address and commandinformation 814 is synchronized using a flip-flop 310-12 and is alsocoupled to the transmitter 312-4. The transmitter 312-4 transmits theaddress and command information 814 and the first write-maskerror-detection information on a request link 818. The request link 818may operate at a lower data rate that the data link 326. Such as lowerdata rate may reduce a probability of an error during the communicationof the first write-mask error-detection information. The write maskinformation 816 may also be synchronized using flip-flop 310-1 andcoupled to the transmitter 312-1. The transmitter transmits the writedata 812 and the write mask information 816 on the data link 326.

FIG. 7B illustrates an embodiment 850 of a device 852, which may be amemory device. The write mask information 816 may be received byreceiver 322-3. The write mask information 816 may synchronized using aflip flop 310-5. The write mask information 816 may be encoded usingencoder 314-6 to generate second write-mask error-detection information.The second write-mask error-detection information may be coupled toerror detection logic 318-3.

The first write-mask error-detection information may be received via therequest link 818 using receiver 322-4. The first write-maskerror-detection information may be synchronized using flip-flop 310-11and coupled to the error-detection logic 318-3. The error-detectionlogic 318-3 may compare the first write-mask error-detection informationand the second write-mask error-detection information to determine ifthe write mask information 816 has been received without an error. If noerror has occurred, the write operation is allowed to proceed. If anerror has occurred, the error-detection logic 318-3 may output signalsthat disables a write operation 856 to a memory core, thereby prevent anaccidental erasure of the data at the corresponding column addresslocation. The device 852 may transmit retry instructions to thecontroller 810 (FIG. 7A), for example, using a retry link (not shown).The retry instructions may request that the write mask information 816and/or the corresponding write data 812 be re-transmitted. The retryinstructions may be processed by retry logic 820 (FIG. 7A).

The approach described in embodiments 800 (FIG. 7A) and 850 may beutilized if there is sufficient space and/or bandwidth on the requestlink 818. This is often the case since a row address in the address andcommand information 814 is typically larger in size than a correspondingcolumn address. If there are multiple devices 852, such as multiple DRAMchips, however, there may not be sufficient communications capacity onthe request link 818. In such a circumstance, a separate link may beincluded for the write-mask error-detection information. Alternatively,different error-detection codes may be utilized for different groups ofone or more devices 852 coupled to a common request link 818.

Attention is now directed towards processes for operating controllers,devices and/or systems. FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating a methodof operation of an embodiment 900 of a system. First write-dataerror-detection information is dynamically added to at least a portionof write data (910). Dynamically adding error-detection information mayinclude generating (for example, in real time) and appendingerror-detection information. The write data is transmitted (912). Secondwrite-data error-detection information corresponding to at least theportion of the write data is received (914). The second write-dataerror-detection information and a delayed version of the firstwrite-data error-detection information are compared to determine errorsin at least the portion of the write data (916). An error condition isasserted if an error is detected (918). In some embodiments, there maybe fewer or additional operations, an order of the operations may berearranged and/or two or more operations may be combined.

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of operation of anembodiment 1000 of a system. Read data is received (1010). Firstread-data error-detection information is dynamically added to at least aportion of the read data (1012). Second read-data error-detectioninformation corresponding to at least the portion of the read data isreceived (1014). The first read-data error-detection information and thesecond read-data error-detection information are compared to determineerrors in at least the portion of the read data (1016). An errorcondition is asserted if an error is detected (1018). In someembodiments, there may be fewer or additional operations, an order ofthe operations may be rearranged and/or two or more operations may becombined.

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of operation of anembodiment 1100 of a system. Write mask information is received (1110).First write-mask error-detection information is dynamically added to atleast a portion of the write mask information (1112). Second write-maskerror-detection information corresponding to at least the portion of thewrite mask information is received (1114). The first write-maskerror-detection information and the second write-mask error-detectioninformation are compared to determine errors in at least the portion ofthe write mask information (1116). A write operation to a memory core isdisabled if an error is detected (1118). In some embodiments, there maybe fewer or additional operations, an order of the operations may berearranged and/or two or more operations may be combined.

The unidirectional transfer of error-detection information and relatedmethods of operation are well-suited for use in improving communicationin systems and devices. They are also well-suited for use in improvingcommunication between a memory controller chip and a DRAM chip. The DRAMchip may be either on the same printed circuit board as the controlleror embedded in a memory module. The apparatus and methods describedherein may also be applied to other memory technologies, such as staticrandom access memory (SRAM) and electrically erasable programmableread-only memory (EEPROM).

Devices and circuits described herein can be implemented using computeraided design tools available in the art, and embodied by computerreadable files containing software descriptions of such circuits, atbehavioral, register transfer, logic component, transistor and layoutgeometry level descriptions stored on storage media or communicated bycarrier waves. Data formats in which such descriptions can beimplemented include, but are not limited to, formats supportingbehavioral languages like C, formats supporting register transfer levelRTL languages like Verilog and VHDL, and formats supporting geometrydescription languages like GDSII, GDSIII, GDSIV, CIF, MEBES and othersuitable formats and languages. Data transfers of such files on machinereadable media including carrier waves can be done electronically overthe diverse media on the Internet or through email, for example.Physical files can be implemented on machine readable media such as 4 mmmagnetic tape, 8 mm magnetic tape, 3½ inch floppy media, CDs, DVDs andso on.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram an embodiment of a system 1200 for storingcomputer readable files containing software descriptions of thecircuits. The system 1200 may include at least one data processor orcentral processing unit (CPU) 1210, a memory 1214 and one or more signallines 1212 for coupling these components to one another. The one or moresignal lines 1212 may constitute one or more communications busses.

The memory 1214 may include high-speed random access memory and/ornon-volatile memory, such as one or more magnetic disk storage devices.The memory 1214 may store a circuit compiler 1216 and circuitdescriptions 1218. The circuit descriptions 1218 may include circuitdescriptions for transmit and receive circuits 1220, one or moresynchronization circuits 1222 (such as flip-flops), one or moremultiplexers 1224, one or more encoders 1226, one or more delay circuits1228, one or more error-detection logic circuits 1230, one or morememory cores 1232, one or more controller circuits 1234 and/or one ormore retry logic circuits 1236.

Attention is now directed towards additional embodiments ofunidirectional error-code transfer. In some embodiments, a controllerincludes a link interface, a first encoder, a first transmitter, a firstdelay element coupled to an output from the first encoder, a firstreceiver coupled to the link interface, a second encoder coupled to anoutput from the first receiver, a second receiver coupled to the linkinterface, and error-detection logic coupled to an output from the firstdelay element, an output from the second encoder and an output from thesecond receiver. The link interface is to couple to a first link tocommunicate bi-directional data and a second link to transmitunidirectional error-detection information. The first encoder is todynamically add first error-detection information to at least a portionof write data. The first transmitter is to transmit the write data. Thefirst receiver is to receive read data. The second encoder is todynamically add second error-detection information to at least a portionof the read data. The second receiver is to receive thirderror-detection information corresponding to at least the portion of theread data and fourth error-detection information corresponding to atleast the portion of the write data. The error-detection logic is todetermine errors in at least the portion of the write data by comparingthe first error-detection information and the fourth error-detectioninformation, and is to determine errors in at least the portion of theread data by comparing the second error-detection information and thethird error-detection information, and, if an error is detected, is toassert an error condition.

The controller may include retry logic to perform a retry remedialaction if the error condition is asserted. In some embodiments, theretry remedial action includes re-transmitting the write data using thefirst transmitter and the link interface. In some embodiments, the retryremedial action includes re-receiving the read data using the firstreceiver and the link interface after the read data is re-transmitted bya device.

The controller may include a third encoder to dynamically add fiftherror-detection information to at least a portion of write maskinformation and a second transmitter coupled to an output from the thirdencoder and to the link interface. The link interface may couple to athird link to transmit unidirectional command information including thefifth error-detection information. he link interface may couple to thefirst link to communicate the write mask information.

In another embodiment, a device includes a link interface, a firstencoder, a first transmitter is coupled to the link interface, a firstreceiver coupled to the link interface, a second encoder coupled to anoutput from the first receiver, and a second transmitter coupled to thelink interface, and selectively coupled to one of an output from thefirst encoder and an output from the second encoder. The link interfaceis to couple to a first link to communicate bi-directional data and asecond link to receive unidirectional error-detection information. Thefirst encoder is to dynamically add first error-detection information toat least a portion of read data. A first transmitter is to transmit theread data. The first receiver is to receive write data. The secondencoder is to dynamically add second error-detection information to atleast a portion of the write data.

The read data may be re-transmitted using the first transmitter and thelink interface if the device receives remedial action instructions froma controller.

The write data may be re-received using the first receiver and the linkinterface if the device receives remedial action instructions from acontroller.

The device may include a third encoder coupled to an output from thefirst receiver, a second receiver coupled to the link interface, anderror-detection logic coupled to an output from the second receiver andan output from the third encoder. The third encoder is to dynamicallyadd third error-detection information to at least a portion of writemask information. The link interface is to couple to a third link toreceive unidirectional command information including fourtherror-detection information. The error-detection logic is to determineerrors in at least the portion of the write mask information bycomparing the third error-detection information and the fiftherror-detection information, and, if an error is detected, is to disablea write operation to a memory core.

In other embodiments, a system includes a first link to communicatebi-directional data, a second link to communicate unidirectionalerror-detection information, a controller, and a device. The controllerincludes a first link interface coupled to the first link and the secondlink, a first encoder to dynamically add first error-detectioninformation to at least a portion of write data, a first transmittercoupled to the first link interface, a first delay element coupled to anoutput from the first encoder, a first receiver coupled to the firstlink interface, a second encoder coupled to an output from the firstreceiver, a second receiver coupled to the first link interface, andfirst error-detection logic coupled to an output from the first delayelement, an output from the second encoder and an output from the secondreceiver. The first transmitter is to transmit the write data. The firstreceiver is to receive read data. The second encoder is to dynamicallyadd second error-detection information to at least a portion of the readdata. The second receiver is to receive third error-detectioninformation corresponding to at least the portion of the read data andfourth error-detection information corresponding to at least the portionof the write data. The first error-detection logic is to determineerrors in at least the portion of the write data by comparing the firsterror-detection information and the fourth error-detection information,and is to determine errors in at least the portion of the read data bycomparing the second error-detection information and the thirderror-detection information, and, if an error is detected, is to assertan error condition. The device includes a second link interface coupledto the first link and the second link, a third encoder to dynamicallyadd the third error-detection information to at least a portion of theread data, a second transmitter coupled to the second link interface, athird receiver coupled to the second link interface, a fourth encodercoupled to an output from the third receiver, and a third transmittercoupled to the second link interface, and selectively coupled to one ofan output from the third encoder and an output from the fourth encoder.The second transmitter is to transmit the read data. The third receiveris to receive the write data. The fourth encoder is to dynamically addthe fourth error-detection information to at least a portion of thewrite data.

A retry remedial action may be performed if the error condition isasserted. In some embodiments, the retry remedial action includesinstructions for re-transmitting the write data using the firsttransmitter and the link interface in the controller. In someembodiments, the retry remedial action includes instructionsre-receiving the read data using the first receiver and the linkinterface in the controller after the read data is re-transmitted usingthe second transmitter and the second link interface in the device.

The system may include a third link to communicate unidirectionalcommand information. The controller may include a fifth encoder todynamically add fifth error-detection information to at least a portionof write mask information and a fourth transmitter coupled to an outputfrom the third encoder and to the link interface. The first linkinterface is coupled to a third link to transmit unidirectional seventherror-detection information. The first link interface is coupled to thefirst link to communicate the write mask information. The device mayinclude a sixth encoder coupled to an output from the third receiver, afourth receiver coupled to the second link interface, and a seconderror-detection logic coupled to an output from the fourth receiver andan output from the fourth encoder. The sixth encoder is to dynamicallyadd sixth error-detection information to at least a portion of the writemask information. The second link interface is coupled to the third linkand the fourth receiver is to receive the fifth error-detectioninformation. The second error-detection logic is to determine errors inat least the portion of the write mask information by comparing thefifth error-detection information and the sixth error-detectioninformation, and, if an error is detected, is to disable a writeoperation to a memory core.

In another embodiment, a controller includes a link interface, anencoder to dynamically add first error-detection information to at leasta portion of write data, a transmitter coupled to the link interface, adelay element coupled to an output from the encoder, a receiver coupledto the link interface, and error-detection logic coupled to an outputfrom the delay element and an output from the receiver. The linkinterface is to couple to a first link to communicate bi-directionaldata and a second link to transmit unidirectional error-detectioninformation. The transmitter is to transmit the write data. The receiveris to receive second error-detection information corresponding to atleast the portion of the write data. The error-detection logic is todetermine errors in at least the portion of the write data by comparingthe first error-detection information and the second error-detectioninformation, and, if an error is detected, is to assert an errorcondition.

In another embodiment, a controller includes a link interface, a firstreceiver coupled to the link interface, an encoder coupled to an outputfrom the first receiver, a second receiver coupled to the linkinterface, and error-detection logic coupled to an output from theencoder and an output from the second receiver. The link interface is tocouple to a first link to communicate bi-directional data and a secondlink to transmit unidirectional error-detection information. The firstreceiver is to receive read data. The encoder is to dynamically addfirst error-detection information to at least a portion of the readdata. The second receiver is to receive second error-detectioninformation corresponding to at least the portion of the read data. Theerror-detection logic is to determine errors in at least the portion ofthe read data by comparing the first error-detection information and thesecond error-detection information, and, if an error is detected, is toassert an error condition.

In another embodiments, a system includes a link to communicatebi-directional data and unidirectional error-detection information, acontroller, and a device. The controller includes a first linkinterface, a first encoder to dynamically add first error-detectioninformation to at least a portion of write data, a first transmittercoupled to the first link interface, a first delay element coupled to anoutput from the first encoder, a first receiver coupled to the linkinterface, a second encoder coupled to an output from the first receiverand selectively coupled to an output from the first delay element, anderror-detection logic coupled to an output from the second encoder andan output from the first receiver. The first link interface is to coupleto the link. The first transmitter is to transmit the write data. Thefirst receiver is to receive read data and second error-detectioninformation corresponding to at least a portion of the read data and atleast the portion of the write data. The second encoder is todynamically add third error-detection information to at least theportion of the read data and at least the portion of the write data. Theerror-detection logic is to determine errors in at least the portion ofthe write data and at least the portion of the read data by comparingthe second error-detection information and the third error-detectioninformation, and, if an error is detected, is to assert an errorcondition. The device includes a second link interface, a secondreceiver coupled to the second link interface, a third encoder todynamically add fourth error-detection information to at least a portionof write data, a second delay element coupled to an output from thethird encoder, a fourth encoder coupled to read data and selectivelycoupled to an output from the second delay element, and a secondtransmitter coupled to the second link interface, selectively coupled tothe read data and selectively coupled to an output from the fourthencoder. The second link interface is to couple to the link. Thereceiver is to receive write data. The fourth encoder is to dynamicallyadd the second error-detection information to at least the portion ofthe write data and at least a portion of the read data. The secondtransmitter is to transmit the read data and the second error-detectioninformation.

In another embodiment, a device includes a link interface, a receivercoupled to the link interface, a first encoder to dynamically add firsterror-detection information to at least a portion of write data, a delayelement coupled to an output from the first encoder, a second encodercoupled to read data and selectively coupled to an output from the delayelement, and a first transmitter coupled to the link interface,selectively coupled to the read data and selectively coupled to anoutput from the second encoder. The link interface is to couple to alink to communicate bi-directional data and unidirectionalerror-detection information. The receiver is to receive write data. Thesecond encoder is to dynamically add second error-detection informationto at least the portion of the write data and at least a portion of theread data. The first transmitter is to transmit the read data and thesecond error-detection information.

In another embodiment, a controller includes a link interface, a firstencoder to dynamically add first error-detection information to at leasta portion of write data, a transmitter coupled to the link interface, adelay element coupled to an output from the first encoder, a receivercoupled to the link interface, a second encoder coupled to an outputfrom the receiver and selectively coupled to an output from the delayelement, and error-detection logic coupled to an output from the secondencoder and an output from the receiver. The link interface is to coupleto a link to communicate bi-directional data and unidirectionalerror-detection information. The transmitter is to transmit the writedata. The first receiver is to receive read data and seconderror-detection information corresponding to at least a portion of theread data and at least the portion of the write data. The second encoderis to dynamically add third error-detection information to at least theportion of the read data and at least the portion of the write data. Theerror-detection logic is to determine errors in at least the portion ofthe write data and at least the portion of the read data by comparingthe second error-detection information and the third error-detectioninformation, and, if an error is detected, is to assert an errorcondition.

In another embodiment, a device includes a link interface, a firstreceiver coupled to the link interface, an encoder to dynamically addfirst error-detection information to at least a portion of the writemask information, a second receiver coupled to the link interface, anderror-detection logic coupled to an output from the second receiver andan output from the encoder. The link interface is to couple to a firstlink to communicate write mask information and a second link to receiveunidirectional error-detection information. The first receiver is toreceive the write mask information. The second receiver is to receivesecond error-detection information. The error-detection logic is todetermine errors in at least the portion of the write mask informationby comparing the first error-detection information and the seconderror-detection information received by the second receiver, and, if anerror is detected, is to disable a write operation to a memory core.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the presentinvention are presented for purposes of illustration and description.They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to theprecise forms disclosed. Rather, it should be appreciated that manymodifications and variations are possible in view of the aboveteachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to bestexplain the principles of the invention and its practical applications,to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize theinvention and various embodiments with various modifications as aresuited to the particular use contemplated.

What is claimed is:
 1. A memory device integrated circuit, comprising: abidirectional link interface operable to transmit read data to a memorycontroller and to receive write data from the memory controller; encoderlogic operable to compute a memory-device-version of error-detectioninformation for each of the write data and the read data; aunidirectional link interface operable to transmit thememory-device-version of error-detection information to the memorycontroller for each of the write data and the read data; and errordetection logic to disable a write operation by the memory deviceintegrated circuit when a comparison of first write-mask error-detectioninformation received from the memory controller with second write-maskerror-detection information generated within the memory deviceintegrated circuit indicates that an error has occurred.
 2. The memorydevice integrated circuit of claim 1, further comprising: a sidebandlink interface operable to receive the first write-mask error-detectioninformation from the memory controller.
 3. The memory device integratedcircuit of claim 2, wherein the sideband link interface is operable toreceive the first write-mask error-detection information at a lower datarate than a data rate at which the write data is received from thememory controller via the bidirectional link.
 4. The memory deviceintegrated circuit of claim 1, further comprising: a request linkinterface operable to receive from the memory controller read and writecommands and the first write-mask error-detection information, whereinthe first write-mask error-detection information is conveyed to thememory device integrated circuit using in-band signaling.
 5. The memorydevice integrated circuit of claim 1, further comprising: an encoderoperable to receive and encode write mask information, the encoderhaving an output, coupled to an input of the error detection logic, toprovide the second write-mask error-detection information to the errordetection logic.
 6. The memory device integrated circuit of claim 5,further comprising: circuitry to synchronize the second write-maskerror-detection information output by the encoder with the firstwrite-mask error-detection information received from the memorycontroller.
 7. The memory device integrated circuit of claim 1, whereinthe error detection logic is operable to allow the write operation bythe memory device integrated circuit to proceed when the error detectionlogic does not detect an error.
 8. The memory device integrated circuitof claim 1, wherein the memory device integrated circuit is operable totransmit retry instructions to the memory controller when the comparisonof the first write-mask error-detection information received from thememory controller with the second write-mask error-detection informationgenerated within the memory device integrated circuit indicates that anerror has occurred.
 9. The memory device integrated circuit of claim 8,wherein the memory device integrated circuit is operable to receivewrite mask information in conjunction with the write data, and the retryrequest comprises a request that the memory controller retransmit thewrite mask information.
 10. The memory device integrated circuit ofclaim 8, wherein the memory device integrated circuit is operable toreceive write mask information in conjunction with the write data, andthe retry request comprises a request that the memory controllerretransmit the write mask information and the write data.
 11. A methodof operating a memory device integrated circuit, comprising:transmitting read data to a memory controller and receiving write datafrom the memory controller via a bidirectional link interface of thememory device integrated circuit; generating a memory-device-version oferror-detection information for each of the write data and the readdata; transmitting, via a unidirectional link interface, thememory-device-version of error-detection information to the memorycontroller for each of the write data and the read data; and disabling awrite operation by the memory device integrated circuit when acomparison of first write-mask error-detection information received fromthe memory controller with second write-mask error-detection informationgenerated within the memory device integrated circuit indicates that anerror has occurred.
 12. The method of claim 11, further comprisingreceiving the first write-mask error-detection information from thememory controller via a sideband link interface.
 13. The method of claim12, further comprising receiving the first write-mask error-detectioninformation at a lower data rate than a data rate at which the writedata is received from the memory controller via the bidirectional link.14. The method of claim 11, further comprising receiving from the memorycontroller, via a request link interface, read and write commands andthe first write-mask error-detection information, wherein the firstwrite-mask error-detection information is conveyed to the memory deviceintegrated circuit using in-band signaling.
 15. The method of claim 11,further comprising receiving and encoding write mask information, theencoder having an output, coupled to an input of the error detectionlogic, to provide the second write-mask error-detection information tothe error detection logic.
 16. The method of claim 11, furthercomprising synchronizing the second write-mask error-detectioninformation output by the encoder with the first write-maskerror-detection information received from the memory controller.
 17. Themethod of claim 11, further comprising allowing the write operation bythe memory device integrated circuit to proceed when the comparison doesnot detect an error.
 18. The method of claim 11, further comprisingtransmitting retry instructions to the memory controller when thecomparison of the first write-mask error-detection information receivedfrom the memory controller with the second write-mask error-detectioninformation generated within the memory device integrated circuitindicates that an error has occurred.
 19. The method of claim 18,further comprising receiving write mask information in conjunction withthe write data, and the retry request comprises a request that thememory controller retransmit the write mask information.
 20. The methodof claim 18, further comprising receiving write mask information inconjunction with the write data, and the retry request comprises arequest that the memory controller retransmit the write mask informationand the write data.